Wednesday, April 15, 2015

SpaceX launches Dragon Resupply Craft to ISS

Liftoff! Dragon soars aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from LC-40.

After a one day delay caused by encroaching thunderstorms, SpaceX tried again and successfully launched a Dragon spacecraft to the ISS. Liftoff occurred at 4:10 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral facility in Florida. The mission designation is CRS-6, as it is the sixth SpaceX resupply mission to the International Space Station. The robotic craft carries about two tons of supplies and experiments, many of which support the mission of astronaut Scott Kelly who is spending an entire year in space. Scientists are using his trip as a grand study of trying to understand what will happen to astronauts undertaking a long trip to Mars one day.

CRS-6 will reach the station in two days, and will spend about five weeks docked to the station.